Balotelli backed down over a £340,000 fine for ill-discipline this week, abandoning his appeal to a Premier League tribunal.

The situation had increased speculation he could leave City during the January transfer window but Mancini welcomed the U-turn and challenged the 22-year-old to now force his way back into the first-team.

Mancini said: "This is an old situation and it is normal when someone does a mistake he should take his responsibilities and Mario did this. It's normal.

"He (should) respect himself, not me, because it's important for him to respect himself, very important.

"I am his manager, like other players, and if he deserves to have other chances he will have them."

Balotelli will not feature in Saturday's visit of Reading after missing training with a virus.

Mancini said: "This weekend Mario, unfortunately, is ill. He came (on Friday morning) but he can't do anything."